Simple Fix Your Leaf Springs for Better Handling

Want a simple fix for your leaf Springs for better handling? You don't have to ditch your leaf spring rear suspension on your classic car or truck for some fancy multi link setup or try and retrofit a Panhard bar or watts link. Global West suspension makes a solution to your sloppy leaf spring handling through the use of their Del a Lum kit. The kit replaces your worn out rubber bushings with a combination of aluminum and Delrin bushings that are built to last and fully greaseable. This was the ticket on my 1964 Mercury Comet after I found my rear tires would rub the inner fenders during hard cornering. With the new parts from Open Tracker Racing and Global West my 60 year old car now handles the turns with confidence!
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Why Install Solid Bushing - Side to Side Deflection
01:16 What it Looks Like Installed
02:59 Step 1: Leaf Spring Plate Removal
03:14 Step 2: Rear Shackle Removal
04:44 Step 3: Front Leaf Spring Bolt Removal
06:01 Step 4: Removing the Stock Leaf Spring Bushings
07:21 Step 5: Pressing Out the Larger Front Bushing
08:35 Step 6: Leaf Spring Preparation
08:54 Step 7: Pressing In the New Del a Lum Bushings
09:57 Step 8: Preparing the Frame
10:30 Comet/Falcon vs. Mustang Rear Frame Differences
12:04 Step 9: DIY Bushing Install Tool Tip
12:29 Step 10: Installing the Rear Frame Bushing
13:13 Step 11: Proper Washer Placement
14:35 Step 12: Leaf Spring Install & Rear Shackle Alignment
15:34 Step 13: Torque Specs & Final Review

[@morlando51]

Another good video. My old Falcon manual says to torque the “spring assembly to rear axle U-bolt lock nut” to 13-20 ft*lb.
When I did this job my little press couldn’t handle it. So I used a jig saw with a metal blade to cut the front sleeve. And then pealed it up on both sides until it was mangled enough to come out. Wasn’t pretty.

[@truckandroll989]

Good looking out on the torque spec. For some reason I felt like that seemed low but it surely wont mangle the lock washers like mine did at 40ish ft lbs. Ive got new plates, bolts, and hardware coming that I will make sure to torque properly.
Those bushings can be an absolute bear. The second set came out easier but Im also lucky that my car seems to have avoided too much water/moisture over its life